DODGERS UPDATEIt seems like all the attention on baseball in L.A. this year has been focused on the courtroom and the ongoing saga of owner Frank McCourt's divorce and MLB's attempted takeover of one of the sport's great franchises. On the field, though, 2011 has been just as dour.

The Dodgers enter the weekend at 43-55, sharing the NL West basement with the Padres and trying to figure out how they can possibly get their offense going. You think the Nationals have had trouble getting runners across this plate? The Dodgers have scored a total of 37 runs this month, fewest in the majors.

The lack of offense cost hitting coach Jeff Pentland his job this week. Dave Hansen takes over for the rest of the season, hoping he can get several of the club's most disappointing sluggers to find their swingRead more »

Tyler Moore catching fire this second half…….just like last year in Potomac. He now has 22 hr's and 65 rbi's and is hitting .272 in Harrisburg. Marrero having a solid season in AAA. Hitting .307 with 9 bombs. I could see Marrero getting a Sept call up with Moore going to AAA

Don't ANYONE say we should take these guys easily because they're so bad. The baseball gods got us for that the last time.I'll just wish them a good game. Do your best. Jayson..keep up the hits. Try to pull out one game at a time.

Big Cat,Agreed on the player's merits, but the promotions don't quite work that way. Syracuse's season ends on September 5th. The guys that don't get a September callup are done for the summer. Moore should get his shot at the AFL this year, though.

Agree with LoveDaNats. I'm not a fan of that type of thinking for a few reasons. one, by saying it out loud, you just might give the other team bulletin board material (even if you preface it with "No disrespect meant, they have some really good players, but…)"; two, many teams are better at home than on the road, and they get the last at-bat; three, that's why they play the games – it's possible for any MLB team to beat any other MLB team oh a given day, and the Nats proved that themselves back when they had one of the worst records in the game; four, don't look ahead – focus on what's happening right now and take care of your business one game at a time.

MarkThanks for the preview – I'm looking forward to the series. A bit of unsolicited advice – I don't like this "You might also like…" feature, both because it clutters the page and because I'm really *not* interested in reading in-game posts from 3 months ago. If you're going to keep the feature, you might tweak it so it at least puts up more relevant and recent posts.PS – word verifiction was "pardes"–blogspot apparently thinks the Nats are playing a different SoCal team this weekend.

Here we go with the 'keep Clippard' outcries. Same as last year's 'sign Dunn'. Of course you don't trade Clippard for a song but you always trade a reliever for a player in a higher value position especially when their value is higher than it's ever been or is likely to be.

Along the lines of the HH post, meant to mention this before and was reminded by the new "you might also like" links. I'm wondering whether anyone else ever inadvertently clicked on the "not helpful" link when attempting to click on the "comments" link. When I recently noticed that I'd done so, I unclicked the "not helpful" link, but who knows how many times I may have inadvertently clicked it before. I'm wondering whether moving one or the other of those links might be useful/possible in that regard. (Disclaimer: as a Luddite type, I don't tend to click on any of those evaluation links deliberately, and I don't know whether they are given all that much weight anyway.)

I was not among the "sign Dunn" advocates, though, attending games in late September it was hard to avoid the chants. I think this is a different situation. We are building a team for next year and the year following. Clip is not a free agent, and although not cheap in arbitration, not exhorbitant either.Although it's true that relievers can be chancy, year-to-year, there's no reason to think he'll lose his ability to clean up messes, in fact, unless his arm blows out, his smarts about hitters can only improve as he faces more of them. To me it would have to be Justin (not BJ) Upton or McCutchen-like to trade Clip, in other words, specifically a young, top, outfielder. I don't think we would get that in a trade. It's not a two-month "rental"–whatever team would get Clip would also get control for next year, since he's not a free again. Doesn't make sense to trade Clip.

Not sure everyone knows about this, but Matt Chico was released according to the Washington Post:Nationals release Chad Gaudin and Matt ChicoBy Adam KilgoreThe Nationals released pitchers Chad Gaudin and Matt Chico, cutting ties with a reliever whom they signed this winter to a minor league deal and a starter who had been in their organization since the middle of 2006. Chico, 28, had been pitching for the Nationals’ affiliate in the Gulf Coast League before the Nationals cut him. In 2007, at 24, Chico made 31 starts for the Nationals. He started 2008 as their No. 2 starter but injured his elbow after eight starts and underwent Tommy John surgery. Following his rehab, Chico made one spot start last in the majors, which the Nationals won. Otherwise, he’s spent the past two years in the minor leagues. Gaudin, 28, pitched in 10 games this April, putting up a 6.40 ERA in 8 1/3 innings. The Nationals designated him for assignment Monday, leading to today’s release.By Adam Kilgore | 05:39 PM ET, 07/21/2011

Mark – Per HHover, love all of your writing but the new feature isn't helpful. I know there's value in getting more links on the page but that isn't the way to do it.One game at a time this weekend. GYFNG.

Harper: 1-5, bringing his average up to .175.I see that all those calls that "the Nats absolutely have to bring him up in Sept so that we can establish a winning attitude and if that Nats don't do it it's because they are cheap and want to hold him until after June to get another year" don't seem to be around lately. Perhaps the front office _does_ have a clue about how to develop 18-year olds, eh?

Nats Lady, Your points are well taken and of course you are not getting anywhere near Upton or McCutchen for Clippard or any reliever for that matter. My point is that Clippard is more than likely at the Zenith of his value, specifically because he is not a rental and because he has had a very good year; he is likely to get worse; not because we want him to but because this normally happens to relievers not named Rivera. Would you for example trade Clippard for Yonder Alonso of the Reds? (And I don't think you can get a prospect that good for a reliever).

File this under: Sometimes it's not bad pitching, it's good hitting.I felt bad for Coffey after reading this:The pitch to Jason Michaels hit for a game-winning single Wednesday "was a sinker down and away. I needed a strikeout or a groundout. I thought it was a good pitch but, to be honest, any pitch that gets hit is a bad pitch."That's really tough, to lose on a well-placed sinker that's down and away. Like I said up top, sometimes you just gotta tip your hat to the hitter.

Curious…. Would we be able to land a McCutcheon/Pence grade OF (and maybe a throw-in prospect), for…say… Desi&Marrero OR Morse&Lombo or Antonelli? Don't get me wrong… I want Desi and the Beast here, next year, but MI&1B is where we have some organizational depth. Just tryna get a feel for value, on a top shelf OF…

My feeling is you might be able to get Pence because of the rebuilding aspect, don't think you can get McCutchen or Justin Upton because those teams expect to contend both this year and next year. Not sure about BJ because the Marlins are on the borderline. Also, I don't regard BJ as "top". Just my humble O.

That pitching line up from 2008 tells alot, doesn't it?I was one of the ones starting the "Sign Adam Dunn" chants last year. I loved him then and now, even at whatever awful batting average he has. I am thoroughly glad we didn't sign him again. Thor.ough.ly. Tyler Clippard, on the other hand…we can't get enough for him, in my view, for it to be worth losing him. He is why I haven't snatched myself bald in the 8th inning this year and last, whereas in previous years, I would have yanked handfuls of hair from my head in frustration by now.WHO WAS IT WHO POSTED THE "GOOD JAYSON" link here the other night? We will need you on deck again tonight. It's a late game, so maybe post preemptively. :-)GYFNG!

You know what's so great about talking about the Nationals, good or bad, praise or condemnation, wise insight or stupid comments? Is having a team at all. I am so god damn glad we have a team in late July win or lose. Couldn't say that ten years ago. This weekend Jayson Werth is my favorite player. Come Tuesday it may be Ian Desmond. I can change my mind all I want since I have a team to change my mind about. And if I get down in the dumps when they lose I just have to remember that at least I have a team to get down in the dumps about. Go Nats! "Don't give up, don't ever give up"!

Concur with NatsLady that the Pirates won't trade A. McCutchen. He's their FoF.Also concur with JD that Tyler Clippard a) is the cat's pajamas and b) probably will regress. That's just what relievers do. And remember, he wasn't always this good: a little over a year ago, Tyler Clippard notched his 8th win of the season*.However, I'm not going to get too exercised about potential trades. I prefer to react to actual occurrences rather than pre-acting to stuff that might happen. (i.e., concur with 1a)* That's a bad thing.

Yonder Alonso is not a great LF and is really suited for 1st base. I thought he looked better last season and moving him around has hurt his numbers. I am sure he is available for the right package, but is he an upgrade over Marrero or Tyler Moore at this point?Again, I hate this talk of making trades for the sake of trades. You can't replace a player like Tyler Clippard easily. I say keep the band together and like I said a week ago, trade Coffey only his stock is dropping fast. Something is wrong with him and that is a shame.

Big Cat said… Tyler Moore catching fire this second half…….just like last year in Potomac. He now has 22 hr's and 65 rbi's and is hitting .272 in Harrisburg. Marrero having a solid season in AAA. Hitting .307 with 9 bombs. I could see Marrero getting a Sept call up with Moore going to AAA July 22, 2011 8:09 AM I just read this and actually just commented on Tyler Moore. Marrero needs to take Matt Stairs place and take whatever playing time he can which won't be much with Michael Morse cemented now at 1st base. My thought is against lefties Morse plays left field and Marrero 1st base. I know Rizzo wants Marrero playing every day and that won't happen if he is called up but I think there is an opportunity there.This gives us the opportunity to look at Tyler Moore full-time at AAA for 45 days. He is 24 years old and I had a scout that told me he likes him moore than Marrero but Moore isn't getting any younger.

UNTERP.NAT said… You know what's so great about talking about the Nationals, good or bad, praise or condemnation, wise insight or stupid comments? Is having a team at all. I am so god damn glad we have a team in late July win or lose. Couldn't say that ten years ago. This weekend Jayson Werth is my favorite player. Come Tuesday it may be Ian Desmond. I can change my mind all I want since I have a team to change my mind about. And if I get down in the dumps when they lose I just have to remember that at least I have a team to get down in the dumps about. Go Nats! "Don't give up, don't ever give up"! July 22, 2011 10:58 AM I agree with you. Let me get really philosophical (haha) and karmatic here. We are stuck with him for better or for worse. Its like a bad marriage, you have your good days and your bad days and with some marriage counseling you fix it. Maybe Jayson is fixed. Let's hope.I also think with mojo and karma it was nice to see that video of the "good Werth" that Gonat posted on Wednesday. I hadn't seen that side of him before and hoped that maybe something cosmic took over for him because he really had his best game in a Washington uniform. Problem is he picked the game that Zim went 0-5 and Morse was 1-5.

I think the Chico/Gaudin thing is going to start some other moves. I am not as sharp as others here but doesn't that open up space on the 40 man roster? Does that mean we move someone from "in-house" or does it mean we have a spot open if we trade? Or am I just completely wrong. I realize the 25 man roster is obviously full and a move will have to be made when Wang is brought up. What can you guys tell me about the 40 man roster? and is it a big deal.As always, thanks andGo Natsps: Unterp – great pep talk!! started rooting at age 5 in 1950 and its been rough but I am still going strong, win or lose.

At the risk of being accused of Desi-hate (NO! love him), is there anything the Douche-Backs have that we want? I mean, in terms of prospects. They are hurting for a SS, but we are on bad terms with them (some unfinished business)– would we trade?Agree 100% you don't trade for just trade sakes, especially now, when there is no clamor for management to DO SOMETHING (except DFA Stairs and fire Eckstein…). Also, am not that familiar with what is on the market in the AL, so I have to disqualify myself from the GM job.

sjm308: You're probably just as sharp as the rest of us here, with the exception of Mr. Z…Gaudin was on the 40 man so that does clear a spot for a possible trade. The Nats don't have to place someone on the 40 man, but the surely could purchase the contract of one of the minor league players (I see that as unlikely, but I'm not the sharpest person either in relation to this).The 40 man roster are those that can be added to the 25 man MLB roster (like Colin Balestar, who has this last option year left, is on the 40 man and can go back and forth without being exposed to waivers), whereas one who is not on the 40 man would have to have his contract "purchased." That would add him to the 40 man. As to the actual 40 man roster (you have to pay attention to all the asteriks and DL notations):http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=wasHope that helps and I won't be offended if someone points out that I'm full of crap on what I have written (I'm kinda used to being told that by the ex…)

Apropos of nothing, really, except, in the discussion of Clip, does anyone besides me remember the game he pitched for the Yankees in which he gave up homers to 4 consecutive Red Sox batters — or was it 5?

Thanks TimDZ – like you I am not offended and I have two exes to remind me of how little I know. Can Stairs actually last one more time with Wang moving onto the 25 man? I just don't see how but I guess you could move Detwiler down. Does anyone else on the pitching staff have options besides LannEn. You will certainly not move him.I also want to put my vote in for moving Marrero up and using him and Morse at the same time. This also gives Moore time in AAA. Marrero has spent every bit as much time in the minors as Ian did and looks to be ready. I don't what good it does to play him every day when after a pretty good amount of games he has shown what he can do. I also don't think him sitting on a major league bench is that bad. He would have Pudge and others helping him adjust to that next step.

NatinBeantown, plenty of time for Rendon to be added and it is for Wang who will be added in 5 days or possibly sooner depending on the health of Gorzelanny.The Rendon getting the Harper treatment is a curious one as that was probably the most contentious part of the negotiations last year and I am sure now that the can has been opened, Boras will ask for that so somewhere after the 15th the Nats will need a spot for Rendon. I don't expect they would do the same for Purke. 40 man spots are so tough to make but I see a couple on there that can be taken off.This has been a year in the Minors that has shown a lot of marginal players that can be released. Just yesterday another bad outing for Stammen with 3 earned in the 1st inning. Corey Brown has turned into a total bust and should be moved back to AA to see if he is salvageable.Add to that Doug Slaten and Garrett Mock can be DFA'd and Cole Kimball can be moved to the 60 Day DL to free up 3 spots.

I like the idea of moving Marrero up. As long as he has a chance to play regularly (as a PH or 1B), he might help the Nats offensively. As regards who leaves, it seems to me that Stairs and Detwiler are roughly equivalent in terms of what they bring to the team. I guess I would prefer to see Detwiler back at Syracuse. I haven't understood the part about where he pitches relief but has to have something like a starter's schedule.

SteveM, seriously you jest that GMock is still on the 40 man. You just freed up 3 spots as easily as I could have imagined.I saw Mark Z talk about Marrero and like your idea to get Tyler Moore promoted also. Moore could be a real pleasant surprise.

Mark'd said… SteveM, seriously you jest that GMock is still on the 40 man. You just freed up 3 spots as easily as I could have imagined.I saw Mark Z talk about Marrero and like your idea to get Tyler Moore promoted also. Moore could be a real pleasant surprise. July 22, 2011 12:06 PM Surely I don't jest about DFA's! Garrett Mock is one of Rizzo's boys but then again, Matt Chico was too.My happy day was when Justin Maxwell left (finally) only to be replaced by a downgrade in Matt Stairs if it was possible to downgrade. Glad you liked my idea on Marrero and Moore but I have been saying this for a month now. I think Marrero is ready. He won't get a lot of playing time so he will have to show what he can do with small opportunities. My only fear is the same comment I made about switching Espi's position that sometimes it changes the player and I say that with respect to Michael Morse. I would try Nix at 1st for a game and put Morse in LF just to try it out. If it works, then it is worth bringing up Marrero. If it doesn't work, then it doesn't make sense just to bring up Marrero for pinch hitting and 1 or 2 games at 1st to give Morse a day-off.

Been making all those calculations, too, Steve M. Are the rules the same, regarding movement, to and from the 40? Or is it ever possible to remove from the 40, without DFA? Would love to see several of these clowns breathe some Bog League Air, in Sept…..

Steve M. said… I was never against Werth. No one pulled for him more than me. My comments about him were observations as all my comments about the Nationals with a couple of exceptions have been. I've sat behind the home dugout and would be shouting support for Werth when everyone else would be booing. And to just let anyone know this, I have never booed my own players in any sport at a live event. Also, I have a big mouth, and believe me when Werth was struggling, not that he isn't out of his funk, he has made eye contact with me on an occasion acknowledging my big mouth in support of him. So really, I am and have never worried about any comment about me supporting the team. Doesn't mean I am a cauliflower either. I call things as I see them not as I want to see them. Most of the time I'm wrong but I love my crow…

Are the rules the same, regarding movement, to and from the 40?—————Meant to say are they the same *during the offseason*…And… How detrimental would it be, when the rosters expand, to alternate MIs, through the end of the season…. like this: Desi and Antonelli, one game, and Espi and Lcombo, the next? If we're out of it, I mean? Would that come under the heading of Jacking With the Kids Heads…? Or would it be useful to evalueate, and show off potential trade- bait? BTW… If I ask stoopid questions, it's because I'd like to be less stoopider….

pos anon said… I like the idea of moving Marrero up. As long as he has a chance to play regularly (as a PH or 1B), he might help the Nats offensively. As regards who leaves, it seems to me that Stairs and Detwiler are roughly equivalent in terms of what they bring to the team. I guess I would prefer to see Detwiler back at Syracuse. I haven't understood the part about where he pitches relief but has to have something like a starter's schedule. July 22, 2011 12:03 PM Detwiler isn't getting any work lately and I had hoped Davey would move him to 7th inning set-up. I watched the Braves game yesterday and it is clockwork there usually and they had a hiccup. There 7th inning guy faltered and they went to O'Flaherty with 2 men on. They generally don't derivate from their plan and didn't bring in Venters for 2 innings is my point. It was almost identical to Wednesday in Houston. O'Flatherty has the best ERA on the Braves at 0.99 and put out the fire. Venters took the 8th and Kimbrel the 9th.Davey needs a plan. He doesn't seem to have a set one except for Storen and certainly Clip for the 8th. He has to find another way for the 7th. I say Detwiler but I know I sound like a broken record. If not him, HenRod for the 7th only. I think Matteus and Coffey are situational relievers and Burnett is the odd man out. I think Balester needs to replace him. This team doesn't have a LOOGY so you go forward without one.The Nats have to reverse this current trend of losing 1 run games.

Unkyd, if you outright release and don't want the player any more it doesn't really matter. The trick is when you are just trying to clear room and retain the play but just remove him from the 40 man then you DFA and hope they clear so you can bring them back and there are always rules with terms of service etc. I am sure they are waiting on Slaten until they need his spot. He still has a chance to go on rehab assignment. I was hoping they would do the same with Burnett to put him on the DL and let him take some time off for a sore 'whatever' and bring him back through a Minor League assignment and see if he is fixable. Problem with Burnett is he is under a guaranteed 2 year contract so they have to pay him through 2012 regardless.

[rant]I am not very interested in making "funny" plays on other players' and teams' names, but it's no skin off my back when y'all do it.But NatsLady, was that renaming of the Arizona baseball team really necessary? What the [devil] did they ever do to you?Let's have some standards, people.[/rant]

UNTERP.NAT said… Steve M. said… I was never against Werth. No one pulled for him more than me. My comments about him were observations as all my comments about the Nationals with a couple of exceptions have been. I've sat behind the home dugout and would be shouting support for Werth when everyone else would be booing. And to just let anyone know this, I have never booed my own players in any sport at a live event. Also, I have a big mouth, and believe me when Werth was struggling, not that he isn't out of his funk, he has made eye contact with me on an occasion acknowledging my big mouth in support of him. So really, I am and have never worried about any comment about me supporting the team. Doesn't mean I am a cauliflower either. I call things as I see them not as I want to see them. Most of the time I'm wrong but I love my crow… July 22, 2011 12:22 PM Glad to hear it. I have groaned but don't boo. I don't think it helps the players frame of mind in their own park and the worst part is what it tells the visiting players who may consider playing for the Nats one day. Think about that!

hehe, I suspect that your electronic device is trying for world domination again, Unk. Or maybe the Bog League is the one where Peat Rose leads in hits? (I kid because I love. :-))Also, I always heard that there was no such thing as a stupid question (only stupid answers, or something like that – can't recall exactly and I suspect that this weather has fried my brain. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)Unkyd said… Been making all those calculations, too, Steve M. Are the rules the same, regarding movement, to and from the 40? Or is it ever possible to remove from the 40, without DFA? Would love to see several of these clowns breathe some Bog League Air, in Sept….. July 22, 2011 12:17 PM

Scooter said… [rant]I am not very interested in making "funny" plays on other players' and teams' names, but it's no skin off my back when y'all do it.But NatsLady, was that renaming of the Arizona baseball team really necessary? What the [devil] did they ever do to you?Let's have some standards, people.[/rant] July 22, 2011 12:41 PM Glad you said that. It is one thing to "think it" and another thing to say that. Only exception is the Philadephia team and the use of Phoolies and Phithies and calling their stadium Bad Citizens Bank Park.

I count 39 on the 40-man roster, so I'm assuming the open slot is reserved for Wang.The best use of September call-ups, in my opinion, is to help you decide what moves you need to make in the offseason.For September call-ups, I think that Severino and Marrero are locks to be called up, for auditions into the 2012 lefty-specialist and big-hairy-chested-bat-on-bench roles respectively. In addition, I would be surprised if Brad Peacock is not added to the 40-man roster this September to take a few starts. He's 23, and with 129 K's in 98 innings as a starter at AAA against only 23 walks and 4 HRs, the time is not to decide whether he is ready for the rotation next year. I also would like to see Derek Norris added to the 40-man and called up in September to try him out at catcher. The Nationals are going to need to make a decision about who is to back up Ramos next season. Flores simply hasn't impressed and his shoulder may not ever return to form. I think Rizzo's likely preference may be to have Pudge for one more season as Norris develops. But you want to have a contingency plan in place and for it to be a good plan, you need to see what Norris can do against and with major league pitching.

UNTERP.NAT said… Steve M. said… Couldn't agree more… July 22, 2011 12:44 PM Now one question, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, what does UNTERP mean? I hope nothing negative on the Terps…..

Scooter… A (very) minor peeve of mine, as well. I wouldn't have brought it up, and it doesn't bother me as much as some if the seemingly gratutious negativity/venting after losses, but… yeah, it's prolly better if we tawk nice.Not offended. No wish to offend…..

DC Tom…I also would like to see Derek Norris added to the 40-man and called up in September to try him out at catcher. The Nationals are going to need to make a decision about who is to back up Ramos next season. Flores simply hasn't impressed and his shoulder may not ever return to form. I think Rizzo's likely preference may be to have Pudge for one more season as Norris develops. But you want to have a contingency plan in place and for it to be a good plan, you need to see what Norris can do against and with major league pitching. July 22, 2011 12:49 PM I agree with you on Flores. A real shame. I have also said Pudge needs to be extended because I don't see Norris close to being ready.The good news is you have Ramos under team control for 5 more years and need a good backup for 1 day a week so Pudge is your best option and let Norris progress.

Well, since Scooter brought it up, I'm not a big fan of using the term in question for pejorative effect. But I've done that particular rant on blogs before so I'll leave my soapbox in the corner for now (or put it back there – I'm so confused).(Oh, and you forgot Fillies, P2P. :-))

Oops, sorry, NatsLady. My timing stinks today.TimDz, I'm always tempted, too, but we must remind ourselves that it rhymes with, uh, gong, and that two wangs don't make a right.TimDz said…Must…resist…urge…to…make…gratuitious…Wang…joke… DC Tom said… I count 39 on the 40-man roster, so I'm assuming the open slot is reserved for Wang. July 22, 2011 12:54 PM

Steve M. I completely disagree with your proposed 'mechanical' use of relievers. To me managers who do that are simply lazy and refuse to think outside the box. I also disagree that any reliever is irreplaceable and I was using Alonso as an example only. My point is that if you can insert a player to play a regular position every day and that player is a young but major league ready and under team control for 5 years (see Ramos) and you can do that by trading a reliever then it's a no brainer. I think that Derek Norris is a lot closer to being ready than you think and other teams know this too. You are taking his batting average (.207) which is low but you are not putting it in the context of his OBP (.369) which is high.

UNTERP.NAT said…You know what's so great about talking about the Nationals, good or bad, praise or condemnation, wise insight or stupid comments? Is having a team at all….. And if I get down in the dumps when they lose I just have to remember that at least I have a team to get down in the dumps about. Go Nats! "Don't give up, don't ever give up"!Let me belatedly say "Amen" to that. I moved to the DC area in 1978 and really thought DC baseball was around the corner. I can't believe it took this long. But, among the many outcomes, is that I will be thankful that we at least have a team and a stadium to go to. There's nothing like a game at the ole' ballpark on a summer evening, or Sunday afternoon (when it's not 100 degrees).Even more bonus: the team is clearly on the way up.(BTW, as for the comments about not slamming other teams — I wholeheartedly agree. No need to negativity towards others. There's an old adage that goes something like: don't step on people when you are on the way up, because they will still be there when you are on the way back down).

PAY TO PLAY said… Glad you said that. It is one thing to "think it" and another thing to say that. Only exception is the Philadephia team and the use of Phoolies and Phithies and calling their stadium Bad Citizens Bank Park. July 22, 2011 12:46 PM P2P, I just want to know what a Phithies is? I have heard Philthies before? Or is this some sort of a takeoff on a Pith helmet or another way to say 50's?And Sec 3, I hope I am able to say "DO**$%ERS S**K!" all weekend!

I agree that come Aug. 1st we should bring up players such as Marrero, Antonelli and Milone. I prefer this to September call ups because this way you get to see what they can do against real major leaguers as opposed to other people's call ups. I think that teams make roster spots available at this time in case they need them for players they may acquire in trades.

Steve M. said… UNTERP.NAT said… Steve M. said… Couldn't agree more… July 22, 2011 12:44 PM Now one question, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, what does UNTERP mean? I hope nothing negative on the Terps…..I worked for the United Nations several years ago…

JD said… Steve M.I completely disagree with your proposed 'mechanical' use of relievers. To me managers who do that are simply lazy and refuse to think outside the box. I also disagree that any reliever is irreplaceable and I was using Alonso as an example only. My point is that if you can insert a player to play a regular position every day and that player is a young but major league ready and under team control for 5 years (see Ramos) and you can do that by trading a reliever then it's a no brainer.I think that Derek Norris is a lot closer to being ready than you think and other teams know this too. You are taking his batting average (.207) which is low but you are not putting it in the context of his OBP (.369) which is high. July 22, 2011 1:17 PM Lazy? it is setting expectations which teams have done for years when they established closers and set-up men so what the heck are you talking about? I don't think you have ever agreed with me because you and I rarely agree on anything and my track record of making statements that come true is based on many years of knowledge so take your constant attacks somewhere else.So you are one that believes in Closer by committee? I believe the best bullpens work when everyone knows their role and of course there are times to derivate from that. Coffey turned out to be a killer fireman leading the league for a long time with no inherited runners scoring but then Riggleman decided to use him for 2 inning stints and problem is that it burned him out. These are people with arms that AREN'T MECHANICAL and blowing out arms because you can't depend on others is wrong to these kids futures.I feel so bad for the over-use of Clippard. He shouldn't be used and abused and if Davey doesn't have an alternative, Rizzo needs to find one. You don't change my opinion just because you say it.I also feel Derek Norris will be overmatched in the MLB. I think he has been over-hyped and will be a backup at best. High OBPs with differential of 100 points or more from AB in the Minors usually translate to problems in the Majors unless it is associated with a high BA. Norris is looking walk too often which has led to problems getting hits. The same way works for small differential between BA and OBP where you have a free swinger. I say sign Pudge to an extension and give Norris time to figure it all out.

JD said… I agree that come Aug. 1st we should bring up players such as Marrero, Antonelli and Milone. I prefer this to September call ups because this way you get to see what they can do against real major leaguers as opposed to other people's call ups.I think that teams make roster spots available at this time in case they need them for players they may acquire in trades. July 22, 2011 1:21 PM While we agree on that in theory, you can't throw out names without a plan. How are you making room for these 3?

Sorry to shake up any dream about Tyler Moore becoming a major league first-sacker, he has a K-to-BB ratio of something like 93-13. Moore walks about once a week, a very, very low total for a power hitter. He's 24 with poor bat discipline. Major league pitchers will pick him apart. Moore will most likely get some sort of cup of coffee in the majors, go about 4-35 with 15 whiffs, and drift back into the minors.

Mark'd said… SteveM, you are the guy that swims against the current that brings out detractors and truth be told you are usury right and hope you are wrong on Norris. July 22, 2011 1:46 PM Mark'd, I say it how I see it and try to do it being politcally correct. Norris is a good kid who has settled back to take a walk when he saw a fastball go by in a 2-0 count that he could have sent into orbit. He has taken a passive approach which has cooled the interest in him from other teams and this isn't a Barry Bonds situation of a huge differential in OBP because they are pitching around you.In the MLB, he will not get walked like he is in the Minors. He needs to get more aggressive and take the walks that are there when you don't chase balls out of the strike zone.Anthony Rizzo is the perfect case in the Majors. Batting .143 with a .282 OBP. Problem is he stopped being aggressive and is back in the Minors.

As for Derek Norris, it appears he's earned another year at Harrisburg. Perhaps Norris and Bryce Harper need a full season at Harrisburg in 2012 before advancing. Norris will be 23 and Harper 19 next season. No reason to rush them, especially Harper. If Harper spends 2012 in Harrisburg and most of 2013 in Syracuse, Nats fans should be patient with that.

@DFL,Perfect after the Norris discussion. That is why Moore needs to stay in the Minor Leagues but he carries a good BA and power numbers and needs to cut down on his strikeouts. Yes, he needs to take some more walks when there. He may end up being a DH somewhere in the AL or a pinch hitter but at 24 years old they have to see what they have.I don't think anyone is saying he is ready for the MLB just that he can be promoted to AAA if Marrero steps up.

The question is this:The Arizona Diamondbacks need a shortstop as theirs is out for the season with an injury. They have a backup playing, who didn't do badly yesterday, but would probably be open to a trade.Would or should the Washington Nationals trade with a team when the players have "unfinished business" with that team? Perhaps someone here can recall if Desmond was involved in all that went on in Arizona.This is not like the Werth deal, which was off-season, and in addition, though the Philadelphia Phillies team and fans may regard Werth as a traiter, they more probably regard the Washington Nationals as dupes.Granted, all are professionals. On the other hand, is it completely possible to put behind you bad feelings and walk across to the other team in the middle of the season, and take part in the expected beanballing and bench-clearing?

@Steve M, re your comment :I hope I am able to say "DO**$%ERS S**K!" all weekend! As long as we are having a discussion of civility, I think we should be cheering FOR the Nats, not yelling stuff like that. They are not the same thing at all.

Nasty Nicknames said,"Granted, all are professionals."I assume you are referring only to the players involved such as Desmond, Werth and any possibly traded from the D-Backs. Is that correct? Certainly you don't mean to imply that the Phillies fans are "professional" or do you?

That may be the one good thing that comes from dropping 2 of 3 in Houston. Realistically, the Washington Nationals are not in playoff contention, so Davey/Rizzo should not need to overuse Houdini, and should be trying out alternatives. By alternatives, I mean both in personnel and in roles. (Doesn't mean give up on the one-run games, just be judicious)Steve M. said…I feel so bad for the over-use of Clippard. He shouldn't be used and abused and if Davey doesn't have an alternative, Rizzo needs to find one.

Granted, all are professionals. On the other hand, is it completely possible to put behind you bad feelings and walk across to the other team in the middle of the season, and take part in the expected beanballing and bench-clearing?Happens all the time. That's why the have "baseball fights."

Sofa, sorry, didn't understand your answer. I haven't gotten to that section in "Codes" yet. So Mr. Desmond would get out there and have a "baseball fight" with Mr. Espinosa if Mr. Desmond is a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 22? By the way, what do they do with the bobbleheads?

Talking about trades, I hear our old friend Adam Kennedy is being shopped.Personally, I want to see Ian Desmond stay if he can improve but still don't see an upgrade right now to replace him. Lombardozzi is a Minor Leaguer with no MLB track record. Antonelli was a short-term Major Leaguer. Neither project as shortstops. Switching Espi to shortstop also isn't a given. Like what you have seen with Espi at leadoff, moving players around sometimes does not bring the desired result.

@Sofa, I was out at AT&T Park for the Nats series, and heard enough Nats/specific Giant player names/Blue you s$%k to last me a long time. It has a diminishing effect on the quality of life. AT&T Park was quite enjoyable, though, when all the fans were chanting the name of a Giant player who had done something like hit in the game-winning run. Go for the positive, not the negative.

I think Bernadina has shown enough to be in the leadoff spot the rest of the year. He's certainly handled it better than anyone else on this roster. I know that leaves Desmond back in the 8 hole, but he's swinging the bat better lately so I don't think it'll hurt him much.

Who do the DBags have that we would want to have (young, upton) and could actually get (neither of those guys) for Desi? We could end up with another "veteran" like Nady.I was surprised that they let go of Chico before Mock. As for whether players can leave one team and participate in a brawl against their own team… The Cards and the Reds did this just last year, with Scott Rolen (if memory serves) pounding on a Cardinal against the wall. I have an unexplainable "thing" against Rolen — one of maybe three guys I really dislike, Just 'Cause– so maybe I am remembering him as the villain when he wasn't. But I prefer to imagine that Desi would hug Danny, were he traded and brawling.I think Clip was a starter for the Yanks when he got into trouble with them. Thanks for putting the kibosh to name calling, except against a phillies phans. Finally, I sure hope Mr. Wang proves to be Mr. right for us.

Mr. Desmond has improved–substantially–on his defense. Hopefully, he can focus on hitting and bring that up. People may say that at age 27 he is what he is, but that can't be true or he'd be making errors like he did last year and in the spring before his baby was born.Agree, probably not best to switch Mr. Espinosa to shortstop mid-season, and you don't want to send him to Syracuse to brush up on his "natural" position. Alex Cora not the best solution either, although he can certainly make some nice plays, e.g., that Web gem he had in Houston. So, I guess, scrap together Marquis, Coffey and Nix for a reasonable OF prospect and live with that.

I dont know If Moore is the real deal. Hes got a lot of power but I am not sure about the other aspect of his game. Most concerning is his walk rate which is very low (same for Eury Perez). His BA is not high enough for a very low walk rate to be acceptable. Its funny cause Norris is just the opposite. he needs to be more aggresive and convert some of those walks to hits.

I'm thinking Rizzo WILL pull the trigger on a deal before the deadline… that is, unless he is from the Stairs and Werth Batting School, which means he'll stand and watch one fly by.Seriously, forget looking at contenders' players… especially the star players (McCutch, et al). Look at the cellar-dwellers: Cubs, 'Stros, Mets, Dodgers, Padres, O's, BJays, Royals, A's, etc. They will be the big sellers. Who do you like from those teams?Looking at CF/leadoff, one name stands out: Bourn. If you're not insisting on a leadoff hitter, then Matt Kemp, Angel Pagan, David DeJesus, or Adam Jones. All 'cept DeJesus provide some pop. I still like Bernie, but he thinks he is a HR hitter too often. He needs to slap it and run, and cut down on his K's and flyball outs.Looking at starting pitching from those teams: too many to name, especially from the Dodgers, Padres, and A's.

The Phillies DFA'd Dannys Baez today and he was signed last year to a 2 year/$5.25 million contract.I say this as I was talking earlier about Sean Burnett who was signed earlier this year to a 2 year $3.95 million deal and has a horrific 5.50 ERA and like the Phillies they held on to Baez just to see his numbers get worse.With all that mentioned, what was Ruben Amaro thinking when he gave Baez that deal. Baez was a 6.44 ERA guy with the Orioles in 2007 and had a 2 point improvement in 2009. He was a 5.48 ERA guy last year and went to 6.25 this year.Is it time to cut bait now on Burnett or find some way of putting him on the DL to get him right or is he toast and following a Baez path where he will never be good again?At least when Rizzo gave him the 2 year extension he was a good reliever. Can't blame Rizzo for the extension but clearly, Burnett is struggling.

Just trying to get the rules straights…. I typed "DBacks" and missed that the autocorrect on my iPad changed it to DBags. Like it tried to do when I typed DBacks above. Sorry! Truly. I was not paying attention

Tim said… Looking at CF/leadoff, one name stands out: Bourn. If you're not insisting on a leadoff hitter, then Matt Kemp, Angel Pagan, David DeJesus, or Adam Jones. All 'cept DeJesus provide some pop. I still like Bernie, but he thinks he is a HR hitter too often. He needs to slap it and run, and cut down on his K's and flyball outs. July 22, 2011 3:52 PM Bernadina has a great off-season regimen in Holland. The problem is he came into 2011 to compete for LF and bulked up thinking he had to be a power hitter.You described him well. I think he is a good short term solution as I think if Rizzo said take the off-season and bunt and slap hits he would get back to his small ball game.This is the solution to the problem. Right handed Lorenzo Cain in AAA Omaha. He can be platooned with Bernie and give you amazing numbers. If the Nats did that with Nyjer (like the Brewers are) you end up with great numbers platooning lefty and righties. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=cain–001lor

I think the Astros have plenty of needs, one of which is catcher. I could see Derek Norris going there, maybe with Detwiler and Milone – for Bourn. Then they could have an all-Norris battery: Bud to Derek.That may be too high a price.I just don't want to see another Nyjer-type deal, where we take a flyer on a POSSIBLE leadoff hitter. Bourjos of the Angels, DeNorfia of the Pads, and minor-leaguer Borgois of the 'Stros comes to mind. W need a bonafide major league player. A missing piece. Maybe Lombardozzi is the leadoff man. If so, package Desi in a deal to get a CF with pop. Kemp would be great.If we were to get Matt Kemp, that would shock some folks around baseball, but I need to look up his contract status.

Couple of things – someone has Desmond at 27, he turns 26 in Sept of this year so you are 2 years off and those are 2 big years. I feel by 27 he will have everything solved. He figured out the defense this year, he has been a leader since he got here and his bat is starting to come around. UNTERP – as silly as it sounds I always got just a little upset with your profile name. Spent 7 wonderful years as a student and got to come back and fill a dream as a head coach in the late 80's early 90's so I have a lot of Terp love. Glad to know what unterp means.I guess I would make a horrible GM because I would also leave Bernadina alone for the rest of this year. Its his first complete season and also his first leading off and I would like to see how the entire year plays out. Same reason I would leave Espinosa at 2nd.Relief pitchers – Clippard has been overused and I agree that there should probably be some sort of pattern. I think HRod has shown he can be valuable for one inning. That can be the 6th or 7th. Mattheus has that same potential. That leaves Clipp for the 8th and Storen the 9th and I think once those roles are established, you can fill the others in as needed. Agree that Balestar needs to be back since the are not using Detwiler like they said they would. Burnett is iffy at best and Coffey is also up and down. Not sure the LOOGY is essential at this point.Have never booed any hometown player and from308 they wouldn't hear me anyway but I just don't do it. I get upset but no booing. Have to work on my son though because he lets people have it no matter which team. His biggest cheer though is Yankee's S**K which can come at any time during any game (Duke S**K's is reserved for basketball season.)Go Nats!!

In defense of your son, he probably doesn't know the derivation of "s**k". It used to curl my hair that kids who would not dream of using the f-word (at least with adults around) were so free with the s-word. It's just become a replacement for "stinks" in their vocabulary. Not saying I would accept it, but there you are.

BTW…Looking at Matt Kemp's contract status: he is under team control through 2012, being eleigible for salary arbitration in '12. He's making $10.75 million for two years, 2010-2011. It will take. $10-15mil per year to extend and sign him.Sounds doable, unless the Dodgers consider him untouchable. He'd be a great player to deal for. It would shock the baseball world much like the signing of Werth did.I wonder if Rizzo is with the team in LA like he was in Houston (and is normally).

Off topic, but wanted to note this:For this series preview, there are 124 comments thus far…At the beginning of the season, that number was about 40 for the previews…Either there are a whole lot of new folks or the regulars and semi-regulars (such as myself) are becoming a bit obsessed and making multiple posts instead of working (not that ANY of us would do THAT)…

Work?? Oh yeah, I did that for 40 years. Now I read Nationals Insider, go to the gym, come home and read National Insider, putter around the garden, or go for a bike ride and then get ready for the game by reading Nationals Insider. Its a rough life.

I think a trade that sent Norris and Detwiler somewhere for a solid, contributing player would be a good move. Ramos is the present and future at catcher. If Norris is "all that," you don't want him sitting behind Ramos. Detwiler hasn't proven he can succeed on a consistent basis at AAA or in DC. For example, Norris and Detwiler for a solid CF? I like it.

LOL, Tim, I suspect that it's a combination of both (newbies and obsessive, uh, oldies). Luckily my boss is a big Nats fan, so she doesn't give me a lot of grief about my obsess – er, fandom. :-)TimDz said… Off topic, but wanted to note this: For this series preview, there are 124 comments thus far… At the beginning of the season, that number was about 40 for the previews… Either there are a whole lot of new folks or the regulars and semi-regulars (such as myself) are becoming a bit obsessed and making multiple posts instead of working (not that ANY of us would do THAT)… July 22, 2011 4:50 PM